Optical illusion producing amusement device

Abstract

An optical illusion producing amusement device in which a resilient transparent tube that has first and second ends is held in a circle defining configuration by a plug that engages the interior surface of the tube when the first and second ends are in abutting contact. The plug also serves the further function of engaging first and second end portions of a light reflecting ribbon disposed within the tube. The ribbon has first and second sides of first and second colors, with the plug maintaining the ribbon in the form of a spiral whereby both the first and second colors are visible to a viewer. When the device is rotated the eyes of the viewer are concurrently subjected to moving areas of both the first and second colors, and an optical illusion is produced that the device is of a third color intermediate the first and second color. In a second form of the device, a rigid rod is secured in a diametrically extending position within the confines of the circle defining tubing. The rod is preferably ornamented with spiral defining areas of first and second different colors. The form of the device that includes the rod permits the device to be twirled as a baton.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

An optical illusion producing amusement device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the past, various types of circular members have been manufactured and marketed, such as the well known "Hula-Hoop," for the entertainment of users, primarily children. In devices of the type above mentioned the entertainment is derived by the skill of the user in causing the circular member or hoop to spin or rotate on a desired part of a user's body.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to supply an amusement device that may be employed by the user to rotate on a desired portion of a users body, but also one that when spun provides an optical illusion due to the rapid rotation of elongate alternate first and second areas of different colors that are visually distinct from one another, and the device as it rotates imparting the optical illusion that it is of a third color that is intermediate between the first and second colors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is formed from standard commercially available materials, is inexpensive to produce, and one that may be modified to a second form to include a diametrically extending rod that permits the device to be used as a baton.

A still further object of the invention is to furnish a rotatable amusement device that has all or a portion of the features previously mentioned and in addition including a number of small noise producing bodies within the confines of the device, which the bodies produce noise when moved relative to the portion of the device in which they are contained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An optical illusion producing amusement device that includes a length of transparent resilient tubing that is deformed into a circular configuration to have first and second ends thereof in abutting contact. A light reflecting elongate ribbon having first and second sides of first and second different colors is disposed within the tube in a spiral configuration, and the first and second colors being concurrently visible to a viewer.

A cylindrical plug is provided that has first and second portions that fit snuggly into the interior of the tubing adjacent the first and second abutting ends, with the plug having slots or other fastening means formed therein, and the plug serving the dual function of holding the first and second ends of the transparent tubing in abutting contact as well as hold the first and second ends of the ribbon in fixed positions relative to one another to prevent the tubing from unwinding from its spiral defining configuration. The device above described when rotated provides an optical illusion that it is of a third color intermediate between the first and second colors.

A second form of the invention includes the device above described, but with the circle defining tubing having a diametrically positioned rod disposed within the confines thereof. The rod is secured firmly to the tubing, with this rod permitting the device to be twirled as a baton.

The rod may have spiral defined areas thereon that are of different color and preferably colors that match the first and second colors of the ribbon. Although it is preferable to have the first and second colors defined by a spiral wound ribbon within the confines of the tube, the same effect can be achieved on the second form of the invention by having first and second ribbons of first and second colors spirally wound on the exterior of the tubing in edge to edge relationship with one another as well as on the rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the first form of the device that is defined by a resilient tube deformed into a circular configuration, with the first and second ends of the tubing in abutting contact in which they are held by a cylindrical plug, and the plug also serving as an anchor to have first and second ends of a spiral wound ribbon secured thereto, which ribbon defines at least two colors when the ribbon is situated within the confines of the tube;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view of the device taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the device taken within the oval identified by the numeral 3 in FIG. 1, and illustrating the spiral wound ribbon situated within the confines of the tubing, with the ribbon being of a type that has oppositely disposed side surfaces of first and second different colors;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view of the device taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1, and illustrating the manner in which a cylindrical plug connects both the first and second ends of the tubing as well as first and second ends of the ribbon;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second form of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view of the second form of the invention taken within the oval shown in phantom line in FIG. 5 and identified by the numeral 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A first form A of the invention as may be seen in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive includes a length of transparent resilient tubing 10 that is deformed into a circle as shown in FIG. 1, with a first end 12 of the tubing being in abutting contact with a second end 14 thereof as shown in FIG. 4. The tubing 10 is preferably formed from a polymerized resin which when bent is capable of assuming the circular configuration shown in FIG. 1. The interior surface 16 of the tube 10 adjacent the first and second ends 12 and 14 is snuggly engaged by a cylindrical plug 18 formed from wood or like material.

The plug 18 serves to hold the first and second end portions 12 and 14 together in abutting contact. The plug 18 has first and second transverse slots 20 and 22 formed on first and second end portions thereof. A light reflecting ribbon B is disposed within the confines of the tubing 10, which ribbon is colored first and second contrasting colors 24 and 26 on opposite sides thereof as shown in FIG. 3, with the ribbon B being twisted into a spiral configuration within tubing 10. When the ribbon B is disposed in this spiral configuration, the first and second colors 24 and 26 are concurrently visible as shown in FIG. 3, and add a decorative appearance to the first form of the device. It will be particularly noted that the plug 18 serves the dual function of holding the tube A in a circular defining position, as well as anchoring opposite ends of the ribbon B in fixed relationship with one another, all as shown in FIG. 4.

To prevent the ribbon B from crumbling when twisted into a spiral, the ribbon is preferably formed with longitudinally spaced, transverse extending, corrugations 28 as shown in FIG. 3.

The device A may be used in a manner such as the well known "Hula-Hoop," and it may be spun by the user. When the hoop is spun to slide along a ground or floor surface or roll thereover an optical illusion is achieved due to the concurrent rotating of the first and second colors 24 and 26, with the device taking on a color that is intermediate between the first and second colors. Ultimately, as the device spins in frictional contact with the ground or floor it will frictionally engage the ground or floor to the extent that the device will return to the user.

In a second form A-1 of the invention as shown in FIG. 5, the tube 10' is formed into a circle by the manner above described, and the external surface of the tubing being covered with spirally wound bands 30 and 32 that are of different colors and impart the same optical illusion to a viewer as that achieved by the ribbon previously described when second form A-1 is rotated. The second form A-1 includes a diametrically disposed rod 34 situated within the confines of the tubing 10' and rigidly secured thereto.

The rod 34 may be covered with spirally wound strips of material 30 and 32 that are of contrasting colors. The second form A-1 of the invention may be used as a baton, when the rod 34 is held by a user in a baton twirling position. To further enhance the entertainment value of the second form A-1 of the invention the interior of the tube 10, may have a number of small metal balls 34 or other movable noise making devices disposed within the interior thereof.

The use and operation of the various forms of the invention have been described previously in detail and need not be repeated.

Claims

I claim:

1. An optical illusion producing amusement device that comprises:

a. a length of transparent resilient tubing that has first and second ends, said tubing deformed to define a circle with said first and second ends in abutting contact;

b. a cylindrical plug of such transverse cross section as to fit snuggly into the interior of said tubing when said first and second ends are in abutting contact, said plug having first and second transverse slots in first and second ends thereof; and

c. a light reflecting elongate ribbon having first and second sides of first and second different colors, said ribbon having first and second end portions, said ribbon disposed within said tube in a spiral defining configuration with said first and second end portions being gripped in said first and second slots as said plug concurrently serves to hold said first and second ends of said tubing in said abutting contact, and said device when rotated assuming a third color intermediate said first and second colors to provide said optical illusion due to the concurrent rotation of said ribbon with said tubing.

2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 in which said ribbon is formed from a thin metal sheet and has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending corrugations defined therein to prevent said ribbon crushing when said ribbon is twisted to define said spiral configuration.